An extraordinarily captivating, tender and attentive performance of Brian Friel’s play.
Dancing at Lughnasa is a co-production by the Royal Exchange Theatre and Sheffield Theatre, of Brian Friel’s incredible 1990 play. The story takes place on the outskirts of Ballybeg in County Donegal and follows five sisters struggling with money, family, identity, religion, purpose, love, and everything in between.
For a play with a reputation of feeling a bit long, this production was wonderfully transfixing. For the whole 2 hour 45 minute run time I was thoroughly engaged, and couldn’t believe how quickly it was over. This really speaks to the high quality world building and storytelling of the production, it allowed me to become so immersed in the narrative.
This is a testament to the love director Elizabeth Newman has poured into this production. She explains that, during the research period, she spent a lot of time “staring at walls” and truthfully, it shows. This is because the relationship fostered between the women in the play, the joy they carve out from domesticity for themselves, through dancing and laughing together – feels so authentic, Newman is firmly inside these characters’ heads. The set design by Francis O’Connor encapsulates this further, he creates a bustling space, where the grass from outside bleeds into the kitchen and the sun sits low, almost intrusive – reflecting how this lifestyle cannot be sustainable for much longer when, as Michael narrates ‘the effects of the industrial revolution’ are starting to catch up with the Mundy women.
Moments of joy, like beautiful dancing sequences by Sundeep Saini are powerfully contrasted with tender moments of vulnerability, sometimes at the same time. One of my favourite moments involved Margaret and Kate sitting at the bottom of the table, sobbing quietly, foreheads pressed together and holding each other as they worry for their future, whilst Christina has a romantic moment outside. This direction and acting is just so stunning, and very attentive to the play text.
The stand out performances for me were Natalie Radmall-Quirke, who plays Kate, Siobhán O’Kelly, who plays Margaret and Kwaku Fortune who plays Michael. Kwaku has a natural knack for storytelling, his narration had the audience in the palm of his hand, great pace and directness. Natalie and Siobhán showed incredible range of emotion and the care they have for these characters and this story is clear as day. Unmissable performances.
This production is a powerful and poignant piece, maddeningly relevant to the times we live in despite its 1936 setting, I would highly recommend the watch.
This show runs at Royal Exchange Theatre until 8th November. Tickets here.